2014 FOOTBALL ESSENTIALS

PLUMSTED – The New Egypt High School football team had an uncharacteristic season in 2013, going 2-8.

This year, with a new head coach at the helm, the Warriors hope to make sure that last year was just a one season blip on the radar screen.

Philip “Phlip” McGuane is the new head coach at New Egypt, replacing Luke Sinkhorn, and he comes in looking to return New Egypt to the NJSIAA playoffs, after a downturn following three straight winning seasons, from 2010-2012. McGuane was the long-time head coach at South Plainfield.

For McGuane, and his coaching staff, it has already been a productive summer, and hopefully will be an even better fall.

It all starts with the kids,” said McGuane. “I get a real sense that this team is ready to prove that they are not a 2-8 football team, that the record of last year is not what New Egypt football is about. They are very anxious to get out there on the field and change that record.”

“We have a good mix on the field, on both sides of the ball,” said McGuane. “We have some athletes that have done well in other sports, and they should help the team.”

With the Warriors already having a chance to play one scrimmage, against Audobon, and camp behind them, the focus will soon turn to the team’s final scrimmage, 7 p.m. Friday at defending Central Jersey Group I champion Point Pleasant Beach.

“I have been very pleased with practice so far,’ said McGuane. “The players are starting to get what we want from them on the practice field, so it has gone well. We played a good Audubon team, plus it was pretty hot out there, which I think will help us in the long run. The weather at camp has been fantastic, a little on the cooler side. But for us, I think the cool weather has been a blessing in disguise. It has allowed us to get more teaching done at practice, so that has definitely worked in our favor. But it was good to get them out there with the warmer temperature for the scrimmage.”

New Egypt will open the season with a Friday Sept. 12 game against Riverside. The Warriors were 0-6 last year going into the Riverside game, and came away with a 28-12 win.

For McGuane, however, the players should not be thinking about last season’s victory over the Rams.

“They had better not be thinking this will be anything other than a tough game for us,” said McGuane. “This is a new season, with new coaches, and this is a new team. We are going to go out and play our best.”